Brother of suspect in Halloween stabbing almost killed another man this year

THE prime suspect in a Halloween stabbing which has left a man fighting for his life is the brother of man who almost killed another victim in a separate stab attack earlier this year.

Father-of-two David Cooper (22) from Dromheath Grove was left in a critical condition in Blanchardstown hospital after being stabbed several times in front of shocked witnesses at a bonfire close to his home around 7.30pm on Halloween.

The prime suspect in the attack is a settled traveller living in the local area who is known to the victim.

He stabbed Cooper a number of times during an argument at the bonfire.

It is understood he threw the knife in the fire immediately after the stabbing but later got an associate to go back and get it for him.

The suspected attacker, who is aged in his early 20s, is known as a vicious thug. His brother was involved in a serious stabbing incident earlier this year which also left his victim fighting for his life.

He cannot be named as he is currently charged in connection with the attack.

“These are people with a high propensity for violence. They wouldn’t be the smartest in the world and that in itself makes them dangerous,” said a source. “They are quick to use knives and don’t seem to care about the consequences.”

Cooper’s fiancée Roseanna Hand has been left devastated by the attack. Ms Hand’s father Matt ‘Matsie’ Hand was shot dead in what was described as a “wild west” style shootout at a halting site in Blanchardstown.